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Premium
join:2003-01-26
Canada | Battery? Ever hear of your battery? | |
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GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
| Re: Battery? said by GOLFnSUN  :Now that is a good positive suggestion. I'll second that.
Can't believe I never thought about that one before. Trip to Lowes in order...
I used to have a short power strip, had three outlets on it. A bit bigger but would also work.
K.
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TheGlobalMind.com | Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? | Angus the IT Chap | |
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
 ·CableOne
| said by GOLFnSUN :Now that is a good positive suggestion.
Positive, negative, and ground!
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
·CableOne
| That is the FIRST thing that came to mind when I read the article, before I even glanced at the posts.
Bring a 1to3 or 2to6 outlet adapter (or even a powerstrip; it will protect you from a surge!), and share the outlet with everyone around. Most laptop PSU's only require 90 watts, so...
12 outlets (one 6x powerstrip plugged into each of the two plugs in a standard single wall gang) drawing 90 watts each = 1080 watts, or about 60% of what a standard outlet can support.
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"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del. | |
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| | severach
join:2002-09-12
Jackson, MI
| I prefer a 6' extension cord with a tri plug on the end. They are cheaper, fit better in your bag, should be easier to get through security (and are cheap enough to be thrown away if they balk), and they solve the next shrinking problem: the *seats* next to the power plugs. | |
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
·CableOne
| Re: Battery? I hear you, bro! Hell, none of us would be in this forum if we weren't addicted!
Like I said above, a 3to1 adapter or a powerstrip, so you can share with those around you (instead of fight with them).
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"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del. | |
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GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
1 edit | Re: Battery? said by Cjaiceman I do like your idea of carrying a plug splitter if the security people don't hassle you to much. I don't think TSA would give you any grief over that one. I carried a bunch of adapters to SE Asia earlier this year, plus all the normal crap I carry around when traveling between the laptop & all its cables, my DSLR and all it's chargers & cables and usually my pocket router.
Pretty standard for them to ask "mind if we take a look in your bag?" - nevermind the obvious but stupid answer "do I have a choice?" However, I've yet to be denied any of these things through security.
Tools however, are another story. Check those suckers. 
K.
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TheGlobalMind.com | Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? | Angus the IT Chap | |
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CPM
join:2001-08-24
Miami, FL | Plenty of Wi-Fi, No Power Outlets Thank you, Captain obvious. | |
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insomx
Premium
join:2003-01-26
Canada | Re: Plenty of Wi-Fi, No Power Outlets Welcome | |
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ninjatutle
Premium
join:2006-01-02
San Ramon, CA | 2 ? Why do they even place outlets with just two plugs these days? Home builders should know better these days.
4 should be the standard. Everything we use needs juice. | |
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| RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs: | Re: 2 ? And increase the circuit amperage to 30-40 instead of 15-20, use AWG10 or 12 instead AWG14 copper wire, and throw in a lot of money.
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| There is an easier answer
Cheap and easy way |
Home Depot sells a convenient outlet expander (6 plugs from 2) that is semi-permanently installable with a single screw for just over twelve bucks. Of course, the electricians' unions and contractors will find many excuses to oppose such inexpensive remedies.
calvoiper
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DataDoc
My avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.
Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC
·Suddenlink
| Re: There is an easier answer said by calvoiper :No, you just need more outlets, not more amperage. Laptop chargers very seldom use more than 2 amps at 120 volts, so it's not like you have four guys all plugging in 15 amp floor scrubbers at once. calvoiper I sold a guy a UPS and a week later his maintenance man blew it up when he plugged a vacuum cleaner in the extra socket. Seems all of the wall outlets were taken. 
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| | | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
 ·XMission
| said by calvoiper : Of course, the electricians' unions and contractors will find many excuses to oppose such inexpensive remedies. calvoiper And the code inspector if it is there during an inspection (like during a sale or in a commercial building). Although you can do it, I would be leery since circuit breakers have been known to fail closed (found that out the hard way one time to the tune of $30,000). I guess making my living playing with moving electrons makes me a bit on the cautious side.
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calvoiper
join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
| Re: There is an easier answer Realistically, there's much more risk of overloading a 4 outlet circuit with a refrigerator, a heater, and a floor polisher than there is of overloading any circuit with too many portable devices plugged in next to the customer seating area.
The code inspector just does his thing to make work for his union buddies, and is often surreptitiously well compensated for it.
calvoiper
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| | | | | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
·XMission
| Re: There is an easier answer said by calvoiper :The code inspector just does his thing to make work for his union buddies, and is often surreptitiously well compensated for it. calvoiper Your blanket statement that inspectors are crooked and on the take is offensive. Most of the building and code inspectors I know are not union related, they are people who have seen what happens when, for example, some idiot puts ten items in a receptacle designed for two items.
But what ever, you go ahead and do what you want, the odds really are not all that high that you will have a problem......
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| said by calvoiper :The code inspector just does his thing to make work for his union buddies, and is often surreptitiously well compensated for it. Your presumption that only "union" electricians work on these types of jobs is erroneous.
In fact, virtually every electrical contractor uses this book:
»www.bookmarki.com/2006-RS-Means-···7904.htm
to estimate costs. This includes both union and non-union shops. How the differing shops "make their money" is as varied as the shops themselves.
As for the Inspectors, take a bribe, go to prison. There are a number of well documented cases in California where that has been the case. I have been in the industry for more than 30 years and have dealt with many Inspectors directly as a General Foreman, Cost Estimator and Project Manager. NOT ONE TIME have I ever heard a single word or even the remotest suggestion that a payment of any kind would change the results of the inspection.
Apparently you have an ax to grind...?
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
·CableOne
| Re: 2 ? said by RayW :And increase the circuit amperage to 30-40 instead of 15-20, use AWG10 or 12 instead AWG14 copper wire, and throw in a lot of money. Although it sounds as though you may be using sarcasm, I agree.
My last remodel project (doubling the size of mom's living room), I installed double-gang wallboxes every 8 feet each with 4 outlets, using AWG12 and 20 amp breakers (what the hell do you use a 15amp breaker for anyway?). So no matter where she puts her entertainment system or lamps or air-conditioner, there are outlets for all.
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"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del. | |
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| | | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
·XMission
| Re: 2 ? My first house was built in the 70's by a developer and had 15 amp breakers. My current house was built by owner about 20 years ago and has 20 amp breakers but what look like 15 amp double wall plugs. Do not know what the wire is off hand.
Assuming you put in a couple of branches and not all the receptacles on one branch, that appears to be a well planned job.
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PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
·CableOne
| Re: 2 ? said by RayW :Assuming you put in a couple of branches and not all the receptacles on one branch, that appears to be a well planned job. In my case, the house was built in the 1920's, wired in the 1950's. The original wiring was scary, but the new wiring fit your quoted statement.
My theory on whether or not I did a good job? The place hasn't burned down yet!
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"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del. | |
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| markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline
| said by ninjatutle :Why do they even place outlets with just two plugs these days? Home builders should know better these days. 4 should be the standard. Everything we use needs juice. They also install every 8 feet in a house vs article in airport. Heaven forbid you buy a cheap powerstrip to double power outlets in a room. *gasp* | |
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | piff $150 per outlet my ass.. I went to home depot and spent not even $10 on outlet hardware, and wired one up myself in my closet for my servers. | |
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | Re: piff Your right, but that is some inflated cost still. | |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| Re: piff said by DaMaGeINC :Your right, but that is some inflated cost still. Apparently you do not know anything about it...but thanks for taking the time to post anyway.
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC
clubs: | Re: piff Thats why people post and inquire about things. To find out. True ignorence is those who dont ask questions and stay in the dark about things. So Thank you, Apparently you dont know anything either. | |
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| | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO | He does know something about it, he knows its a union job. They prob have 10 people to work on one outlet, and they charge by weight, color, how much they sweat during install.
That is absurd amount to charge no matter how you figure it. | |
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| | travelguy
join:1999-09-03
Santa Fe, NM
| said by n1zuk :Heavy duty commercial codes. Outlet, box, wire, and labor for licensed electrician. We're talking VERY high traffic area. And the largest driver is that you are limited by code to the number of boxes that can be on a single circuit. Adding outlets doesn't mean 6 feet of romex and a box. It means lots of new breakers and home runs back to the breaker box. | |
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| Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
| one thing to remember about building codes, in a home for example they dont figure in dual 15amp loads on a single outlet because most sockets are infact used for light loads such as lighting.
imo codes need to be reviewed as while compact flourescents make our lighting take less power, our new electronic gadgets suck down power like Oprah does an all you can buffet. i run my PC and home theater on seperate circuits and my window AC has its own dedicated 20amp feed.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs: | 1,000s per outlet.. brought to you by: the same people that charge you $20 for a single screw or $250 for a toilet seat!
Much love,
Unchecked Capitalism, No-Bid Contracts, and No-Big Government Oversight "Liberal" Billy | |
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jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ | Re: 1,000s per outlet.. It's a union job.
You got a problem with that? | |
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| | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO | Re: 1,000s per outlet.. Unions are a sham. That IS the problem. | |
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malvado6
I pee on Bushes.
join:2003-09-13
00001 | Re: 1,000s per outlet.. You sound bitter. Have a problem with people being paid a decent wage?
May the Wal-Mart house of cards economic perversion collapse on your community. | |
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Anonuser
join:2003-01-03
Milwaukee, WI | . I keep a 6ft extention cord in my laptop backpack at all times. It has 3 outlets on it.
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Devanchya
Smile
Premium
join:2003-12-09
Ajax, ON
·Bell Sympatico
| Re: . I use to do that, but it got taken by Customs a year ago as a security risk... oy.
Now my battery needs replaced, I think I have 20 minutes of juice left on the thing without a plug.
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»www.codecipher.com - Marking the way to tomorrow's solutions | |
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| | Misterman
join:2004-04-02
Saratoga, CA | Re: . If people setup their laptop correctly and bring along an extra 12 cell battery they can wait for a long time in an airport. | |
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Cheese
Premium
join:2003-10-26
Naples, FL
clubs:
| Re: . said by Misterman :If people setup their laptop correctly and bring along an extra 12 cell battery they can wait for a long time in an airport. Even setup properly is not going to keep a battery from going bad..... | |
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nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA | If It's Not One, It's the Other I can get wifi at the airport, but rarely get power.
I can ride the Acela and get all the power I want, but no connectivity.
Bleah.
-tom | |
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Safemaster
Premium
join:2004-01-18
Loxahatchee, FL | Backpack power packs Won't be long for someone to come-up with some sort of back pack power pack that last 12 hours. in stores near you. | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
1 edit | Somebody Call A Waaaambulance Oh dear, life is certainly very tough for these people...it must be absolutely horrifying to show up at the airport or StarSchmucks, pay the six bucks for the thimblefull of swill and then (gasp!) not have an open power outlet available. Oh the horror!
The laptop freaks and the non-stop cell phone yakkers should get together and beat each other over the head with their equipment. It might make them realize that death won't result if they go a whole hour or two without being plugged into the Internet OR a cell phone. | |
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emmpeethree
Twizzling Flagella
Premium
join:2001-04-13
Richmond, BC | Re: omg buy one of those damn 3 port from the dollar store things like said above and nail it to the wall.
cost: $1.05 materials
$1 labour | |
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Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
| Re: omg said by emmpeethree :buy one of those damn 3 port from the dollar store things like said above and nail it to the wall. cost: $1.05 materials $1 labor times about 2500 outlets.....
cost: $2625.00 materials
$2500 labor | |
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| Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | hmm didnt Tesla come up with some kinda wireless power thing?
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
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natter
join:2000-12-18
Littleton, CO | . I heard all the airports will be adding charging stations. For money of course. Can't wait....... | |
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| rectifire
join:2003-03-07
Glendale, CA
| Re: Re: 1,000s per outlet.. As a whole, the general public is woefully ignorant in regards to the time, process, and expense of construction. The general public is not privy to the amount of skill, experience, elbow grease, and problem solving abilities which go into the construction or retrofit of any building. When compared to other professions in which the general public comes into contact with on a daily basis, construction has no chance to build a commensurate level of respect and value. Why? Nobody wants to see or hear construction. How can the public value and respect a profession that they choose to see as a nuisance, rather than something bringing great benefits. The problem is exacerbated when you have individuals who will install a $.59 receptacle from Home Depot, only to now think they are qualified to comment on the cost and time of doing a professional installation elsewhere.
To hear some of the posters here malign $150 as a ridiculous price (or a "union" price) for a commercial grade outlet installation........well, the ignorance is not surprising.
The funny thing is, you would never hear these same people question the $150 a physician would bill for a 30 minute checkup. Why is this? Both an electrician and a doctor have years of experience and training in their respective fields, and both provide services that are absolutely necessary to a functioning society as we know it. This false dichotomy (where ones' work is valued and respected, and the others' is disrespected and devalued)is hypocritical and disingenuous at best. | |
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DreamWraith
Premium
join:2004-04-07
Mount Vernon, WA
·Comcast
| Re: Re: 1,000s per outlet.. bullshit.
people question the costs doctors charge every single day. The difference?
Unless you went to med school, you cannot be your own doctor. People don't have a *choice*.
I appreciate the point you are trying to make, although i think you are unfairly stereotyping the entire human race, however, at least try to use valid, tactful arguments instead of references that don't really compare. Like they say, you cannot compare apples to oranges. | |
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| | | rectifire
join:2003-03-07
Glendale, CA
| Re: Re: 1,000s per outlet.. said by DreamWraith :bullshit. people question the costs doctors charge every single day. The difference? Unless you went to med school, you cannot be your own doctor. People don't have a *choice*. I appreciate the point you are trying to make, although i think you are unfairly stereotyping the entire human race, however, at least try to use valid, tactful arguments instead of references that don't really compare. Like they say, you cannot compare apples to oranges. What a convincing and respectable argument you make from the very first word.
However, to address the example in your second paragraph;
People are very capable of playing doctor without years of training from medical school. They do have a choice. Have you never bandaged a minor cut, prescribed yourself an aspirin for a headache, or taken a cold medicine when you were sick? You could go to the doctor for any one of these situations. However, it is faster, cheaper, and more efficient to take care of these minor health related items yourself. Regardless, taking any or all of these minor health issues into ones' hands does not make one qualified to make medical judgements or estimations of any kind.
I don't understand how the apples to oranges analogy applies in this situation. How is a reference from one essential profession to another (and the different levels of respect accorded each) an indefensible argument? It's a simple comment about human nature. | |
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sempergoofy
Premium
join:2001-07-06
Smyrna, GA
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: . said by natter :I heard all the airports will be adding charging stations. For money of course. Can't wait....... Not necessarily "for money" if you meant "for fee". From: »news.delta.com/print_doc.cfm?art···id=10371
... Gate areas in Atlanta are also undergoing a transformation, including adding more of Delta’s industry-leading recharge-areas where customers can make the most of their time working or watching a movie on their PDA or laptop as it recharges in one of the many dedicated spaces. ... Some of these were already available prior to renovation. But the quote is from an article about their overall $26M renovation.
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Derfel
join:2004-06-06
Winnipeg, MB | Power I just bring my gas generator with me everywhere I go. Works like a charm, and I get atleast 12 hours of power this way. Mind you, the coffee shop is always so empty when I'm around... | |
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jon2819
@dmisinetworks.net
| Re: Power It's probably not the best idea to add more outlets. Those outlets are used for more than just laptops. Airports are constantly undergoing repairs, renovation, and cleaning. The people who do these jobs use high power equipment and drain a lot of current. It would be unwise to put more outlets because a fuse may blow.
Just carry extra batteries. In ocean's eleven, the robbers couldn't open the vault door because their batteries were dead. Carry a spare! | |
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stufine
@fuse.net
| Re: Power funny reading.. had an inspector tell me.. this is commercial work.. no requirements for outlets. but to the people that dont think running outlets cost $$... i bought a 1000' roll of 12/2 for 89$.. in about 3yrs time that same roll is over 300$. so 75$ min. well that should cover the trip charge | |
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EGeezer
Summertime -
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country!
 ·Callcentric
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage
| Some observations - Retrofitting for outlets can be quite expensive, since safety codes would likely require new distribution panels, wiring and grounding as well as the retrofit costs of installing the wiring behind walls. With those long corridors from terminals to utility sources for airports, there will need to be lots of long, expensive and heavy copper runs. I'd surmise that the engineering design, project management and materials would significantly exceed the labor costs of the actual installation tasks.
Wiring codes are there for safety, based on past accidents and failures. I've seen the results of poor electrical installations like some of the short-cut wiring solutions proposed in previous posts(but using a 3-in-one would be acceptable). I can be sure that if these suggestions are implemented, eventually a fire would break out or somebody's laptop is toasted from high neutral currents, etc. etc. there will be an army of lawyers arriving with the fire trucks and EMTs to sue all even remotely associated with the airport.
IT admins periodically checking servers and business people checking/responding to "emergency" emails won't require hours of continuous use. Airport usage is just what the power management features are for. All my hot stuff comes to my cell phone, not over email or IM. I can keep my cellphone up for at least 30 hours on one battery. If I need to have more - or need to talk a lot, I can buy extra batteries. I think the pay-to-recharge stations are a good idea.
As for paying a cent for more outlets, the costs should not be borne by the taxpayers. Add it to the cost of a plane ticket. If a user's laptop battery is old and needs replacement, let him replace it. If they want to watch DVDs or play games, that's not a necessity. If they don't want to carry a 3-in-one or hunt and share outlets, let 'em buy batteries.
Now if you're like some who set up a fake evil twin AP with their laptops and sniff for passwords, account numbers, logins, sensitive documents in shared folders and other interesting stuff from clueless connected WiFi users at airports, then you may need the extra power 
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prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA
·VoiceStick
·Comcast
·Pacific Bell - SBC
·DSL EXTREME
·Vonage
·VoicePulse
| huh? Forget new outlets. I just connect a strip outlet to another and another. Never had the fuse blow either. Cheaper than using either union or non-union labor to install more outlets. Besides, you're already protected. Fuse breaker in the box, buy strip outlets with a built in fuse breaker, etc. But as I said, never had one problem with it. No hot wiring either.
My thoughts on unions:
1. Union members make a living wage, can actually buy a house, car, food, and pay for kids to go to college.
2. Non-union people often work 2 jobs to make a living, struggle to own a home and wish they could be a union member.
Guess what? I'm union and I still won't pay an electrician's expensive prices! (I do have good fire insurance and will blame the previous owner if I screw up!)
This message is meant as lighthearted sarcasm for those of you who take everything way, way, way too seriously. | |
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claudeo
join:2000-02-23
Redmond, WA
| Back to the original topic... Back to the original topic. It is pathetic that even in brand new airport terminals (like the renovated terminals at SeatTac) you can hardly find any outlet. At some airports, like ORD (Chicago), there are simply *no* outlet available. The 3 outlets I had scouted out at Heathrow Terminal 4 a couple of years ago have been condamned. Things are getting deliberately worse for travelers, not better. Clearly, airport authorities generally do not want their traveling customers to plug in. There may be some exceptions, but the general rule seems to be "you're a business traveler, too bad for you!". This blatant lack of support for the reality that people need power for their laptops, or for their cell phones when they get stranded for hours between cancelled or late flights, is not limited to airline terminals. I often have to go to meetings in brand new auditoriums and classrooms where the only outlets are next to the teacher's stage. This week I was in a hotel room that had its own WiFi AP. Nice. But the only available electrical outlet was on the desk. What's the point of WiFi if you're going to be tied to the desk anyway?
BTW, I always travel with a little 3-way AC power cube (it is UL listed, but that very compact model doesn't seem to be available anymore) which, unlike the "3 in a row bar", allows 2 fat adapters as well as a regular cord to be plugged in at the same time. It's light, compact and I have never been hassled by security for traveling with it. A nice alternative to the cube, just a little heavier and bulkier, is a short (about 16 inches) extension cord with a 3-way female end. Used that for a week-long train trip in Spain, where the outlet was placed in such a way that the cube would not have worked as well. I also travel with a universal adapter like the one from APC (»www.apc.com/resource/include/tec···sku=INPA) which is light, *flat* and really universal. I can plug my cube into it if I need to plug in several devices anywhere in the world. The problem is, as always, finding an outlet. | |
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Plenty of Wi-Fi, No Power Outlets
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